You could see the pain overflowing in their eyes. Family and friends gathered together outside Jack's Auto Sales comforting each other trying to ease the pain of John "Jack" Blitchford's death.
The 84-year-old father of four died Sunday morning. Fire ravaged his Frankford home and business.
"Jack had the biggest heart that there was," teared Babette Wilson. "He helped everybody."
David Mausolf called him the father he's never had. He says Jack rescued him from a cemetery. He's just one of the many homeless people Jack gave a home in the back of his building.
"Jack has got a heart I can't describe how big it is. He's the best man I've ever met in my life."
The 84-year-old Blitchford is described as a pillar of the community and longtime owner of Jack's Auto Sales on Frankford.
Fire raced through the two-story building around 8 a.m. Sunday morning.
It sent a cloud of smoke into the air and Leroy Adams running for his life.
"I hollered for him but he can't hear to well."
Adams served with jack in the Navy and was living with his longtime friend when the fire broke out. He escaped -- but not before it singed his hair and burned his hands.
"I was in the bedroom and smelled smoke and I got out and seen fire so I got the hell out as fast as I could."
Firefighters rescued Jack from the floor of his bedroom. He was taken to Temple Hospital where he died hours later.
Blitchford's son hopes his father will be remembered for his huge heart, compassion and the life long lessons he taught him.
"For everybody to get along and love one another and live by his motto and give everyone a chance. Try to look after one another," John Blitchford III explained.
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Police say John "Jack" Blitchford died after a fire ripped through his Frankford home Sunday.
